Private sector seeks more trade

Next on the itinerary was a business luncheon at the George Price Centre. Speaking on behalf of Belize’s private sector was Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Chairman of the Board at the University of Belize.

Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Chairman, U.B. Board
?Even though our imports from Mexico were four point four times that of our exports to Mexico in the first five months of 2005, there has been much improvement as compared to the whole of 2004 when that figure was nineteen point two times. The gap has been narrowed, although still very large due to increased export of our shrimp to your country. We have many opportunities to balance the trade deficit with Mexico and we?d like to present just a few of these to you today. Tourism offers tremendous opportunities for both trade and investment in both directions. We note that your Costa Maya project has been very successful and we can learn much from your marketing efforts in this regard. Our tourism products are complementary. In Belize we have developed a home-grown, natured-based, intimate type of product. Our industry is characterised by many smaller hotel providers and only a few larger operators. There is opportunity to link travellers who visit in your southern destinations, such as Cancun and Cozumel, to our eco-type destinations here in Belize.?

Zabaneh’s address also emphasized the potential of Belize’s agricultural sector… But as Belizean officials boasted about the quality of our local products, instead of a menu of Belizean delicacies, the President was forced to dine on, of all things, imported smoked salmon.